Maharashtra Advances Renewable Energy with 50MW Solar Tender at Parli Thermal Plant
The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO) has taken a significant step toward green energy transition by floating a tender for establishing a 50-megawatt (MW) solar power project on the premises of the Parli Vaijnath thermal power station in Beed district. This initiative marks a strategic move to repurpose idle land from decommissioned thermal units into a productive renewable energy hub, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
Project Details and Implementation Timeline
The solar project will be developed on vacant land previously occupied by units 1 to 5 of the Parli thermal power plant, which have been shut down. Officials have confirmed that this tender represents the first phase of a larger solar initiative planned for the region, with a total proposed capacity of 350MW. Once the bidding process is completed and a contractor is finalized, on-ground construction work is expected to commence promptly, moving the proposal from planning to implementation.
Political Backing and Legislative Assurance
The tender follows a commitment made by Chief Minister and Energy Minister Devendra Fadnavis during a previous session of the Maharashtra legislative assembly. Former minister and Parli MLA Dhananjay Munde had raised the issue in the House, advocating for the utilization of unused land from the decommissioned thermal units to establish a mega solar power project. In response, Fadnavis assured the assembly that a solar energy project would indeed be set up at Parli, paving the way for this development.
Broader Impacts and Future Prospects
The 50MW solar project is anticipated to deliver multiple benefits for the Marathwada region:
- Boost to Renewable Energy Generation: Enhancing the state's clean energy capacity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Employment Opportunities: Creating jobs during the construction phase and later for operation and maintenance of the plant.
- Productive Land Use: Ensuring that land lying idle since the thermal units were decommissioned is put to effective use.
Local politicians have hailed the tendering process as a milestone in Parli's development. Munde expressed gratitude to CM Fadnavis on behalf of the residents for fulfilling the assembly assurance and initiating the solar power project, which is poised to play a pivotal role in the area's future growth. The remaining capacity of the proposed 350MW solar project is likely to be developed in phased manner over the coming years, further solidifying Maharashtra's commitment to renewable energy expansion.
